STORYTELLING WORKSHOP
(following a performance by George Capaccio)
FOR GRADES 2-5+
OBJECTIVES
The primary goal of this workshop is to provide students with an introductory experience in the art of storytelling. Through discussion and hands on activities, students will become familiar with some of the skills and techniques essential to storytelling and, more generally, to effective communication.
FORMAT
George coaching two student storytellers at a Boston summer day camp.
MODELING STORYTELLING
George will tell 2 short tales appropriate to the grade level of the students and related, if possible, to the curriculum.
DISCUSSION
Students will discuss the storyteller’s performance, focusing on skills and techniques that helped bring the stories to life. Such skills include:
- Learning and understanding the story.
- Making eye contact with listeners.
- Speaking with expression.
- Using relevant gestures and movements.
- Expressing story characters through voice and body.
- Using imaginative language.
George sharing a story with first-graders.
ACTIVITIES
Together with George, students will create a map of one of George’s stories (from the demonstration performance). The map will show the main characters, the setting(s), the sequence of events, the main problem or conflict, and how the characters solve the problem or resolve the conflict.
Working in small groups, students will then use the story map to retell George’s story in their own words. (Each student will only need to tell part of the story in his or her group.)
As the culmination of the workshop, each group will present its version of the story to the entire class.
As a follow up activity, the teacher might want to invite students to compare and contrast the different versions and then have each student write the story in his or her own words, with or without illustrations.
George with a little camper wanting to take part in one of George's stories.